You have to understand you are entitled to your opinion as most of us here. There is no need to be offended or let these comments crawl into your skin. I can see this has affected you. I have nothing to prove to you. I just merely stating an opinion based on other people's experience, opinions, documentaries and others. It is a matter of opinion. You should understand it is your right to disagree with my comments. To disagree with my comments is not a problem Marie Claude:). Actually I welcome it. I am always open to opinions. But yet it would be preferable to disagree in an manner of civility which obviously in your case prove to be a little bit challenging. Thats the very least you can do. Anyway Have a nice day.

So, it appears that racism in France is below the Germanic and Viking countries' ones, and UK + Ireland !!!!

It is almost Muslims' racism vs Jews, following the Intifada wars Israel vs Palestinians, our muslim community is siding the Palestinian cause.

Now, what do you want to gain in spreading your BS? but a certificate of Foolness !

"The furor surrounding the refusal to admit Oprah Winfrey and her longtime companion to Hermes in Paris after store hours has escalated to the next level. "Oh, it’s on," her spokesperson was quoted as saying. "What is ‘Hermes’ French for? ‘Ku Klux Klan’?"

Hermes, which is actually French for ‘Really, Really Rich People Only,’ turned the Winfrey party away when she tried to gain entry after the close of its business day."

My friend, it seems that there are discrepencies between what I say and what you say. I mainly take the examples of African and Asian immigrants and you seem to be mainly focused on Muslims. I fail to see how you are trying to prove a point. I focus on two different backgrounds, you are specifically focusing on a religion.

Talking about racism - Racism exists in every country in the world, but it is a lot less in the More liberal Europe then it is in any Islamic country.

Well, this discussion about racism between Europe and Islamic countries, was not one of my topics. However while we are in it, I might as well give an opinion. Basically, let me ask you something. Have you ever been to Islamic countries?? If so where??? You will be surprised. To tell you the truth I was.

My friend :),the fact you suppose that racism is a lot less in the more liberal Europe then it is in Islamic countries is purely unfounded and many who have been to Islamic countries would also agree. I agree that there are some countries in Western Europe where there is a lot less racism. However hiding behind European cloack, will not change the fact that France is one of the countries where racism is strong. Most people wont admit it. But yes it is indeed strong. Many of my friends back in the US coming from diffrent backgrounds who have been to France all admit to this sad truth. Try ask anyone who's been in France? You will be surprised. Oprah Winfrey who has been to France, was victim of racism. In the US, racism exists but it is not something that you really can feel it compare to France. Racism is something that exists. Why?? Who knows the answer to a such complex answer. Maybe for historical reasons, societal factors, economic factors, etc. We can drive ourselves nuts trying to answer these questions. Nevertheless you are right about one thing, racism is everywhere and you cant change it. Also it can be a drive for victims whether to do better to teach the racist a valuable lesson. Racism is all part of human beings complex nature.

Anyway it has been interesting discussing about these topics. This is my last post on this particular subject. You are all welcome to post your comments and provide your insighths on any topic. Anyway Take Care

The fact you suppose that a vast majority of immigrants are uneducated is unfounded. . However many of the immigrants with African and Asian descents with their high education find it difficult to find jobs, and even when they do, they end up changing jobs because managers wont make them climb up the ladder.
............................

your 'facts' have no basis in figures. When you look at Msulim immigrants only, and their progeny born in Europe... the fact is that their educational levels are abysmal. This comes from an upbringing where education is not a valuable commodity.
In fact if you read the report on Islamic education, in this very magazine , printed sometime last year , you would realise that low education levels are a cultural problem.

Talking about racism - Racism exists in every country in the world, but it is a lot less in the More liberal Europe then it is in any Islamic country.
Moreover, in my experience, racism is a positive for the victims. It is because of racism, that the victims get a drive to do better and want to prove themselves.
You don't think that the Jews were victims of racism throughout the last 2000 years ?

It comes back to the culture you are born in, my freind, and nothing else.
AND VBACK TO MARIE CLAUDE----
I know that you don't live in France any more, but if you did, who would you vote for ?

Replying to theseekconomist
I have been reading this "France is going to fall, soon" for years in the British-American press. I am not saying that there is nothing wrong in France but most of the problems it faces are shared -unfortunetly- with the rest of Europe/world.

-"An increasing number of French immigrating to Asia, America"
France has one of the lowest rate of Emmigration in Europe, with a very small portion of its citizens living abroad; the UK is the country with the highest number of expats and an increasing number of people leaving every year.

-poverty
France has one of the lowest rate of poverty in Europe, the lowest bare the Scandinavian countries. There is indeed a problem of housing in Paris, a city with one of the highest density population in the world, but it is not representative of the rest of the country. Meanwhile, it is also the third country in the world for the number of millionaire (after the US and Japan, so the first in Europe). So much for the "The French don't like money" cliche.

-education system
France's schools and university have an average ranking (cf PISA test, Shangai ranking and FT Busness school ranking), not an excellent one, but not a very bad one either, with a few very good results in medical research and mathematics (Fields medal for example).

-Strikes
Indeed, that's because the trade unions are extremists and therefore only a small portion of the workers are a part of a trade union; I am optimistic about this, this is going probably to improve (not tomorrow of course, but in a few years).

-Racism since the colonial times
Racism since the colonial times ?
I the 50s Gaston Monerville from Guyana, a Black man, was the president of the senate, the second most important function in the French state. Minorities were, in a whole, well integrated in French sociey untill recently. The problems started with mass immigration from the third world, then if you think this problem is to be found only in France you are mistaken.

-"Broken financial system"
De facto, the problem of the broken global financial system is global I am afraid, French banks are among the safest in Europe.
-Cost of living
Cost of living is indeed high in Paris but fine outside of Paris.

-"A burdensome Social Security System"
Indeed. The AME (free medical care for anyone living here, even illegally!) is a non sens, Marine Le Pen is the only one who points out this absurdity and proposes a change. The current government do nothing against illegal immigration by the way. You can guess why she is popular with an increasing number of "mainstream" French who don't identify with the traditionnal French far right but simply want more "common sens" in the way the country is run. The mass immigration, the tolerance toward illegals, the generosity towards the newcomers, the dislike of the EU and the feeling that the traditionnal elites are useless are the key -reasons of the sucess of Marine Le Pen. She is not racist of even xenophobic either; she is a very conservative right-wing woman.

To Lavieenrose:
"A different picture from Seekonomist, who would have us believe the immigrant population is overflowing with bright young university graduates victimised by cruel capitalist employers"

Never did I mention that the immigrant population is overflowing with bright university graduates. :). You need to read again and get your facts straight. But anyway I am tired of the nonesense you put online. Suggestion: Read carefully before you write. Dont put words in order people's mouth. OK??/:).I can see your true colours. Anyway I got nothing much to say.

To Marie Claude

There is no need to feel offended. We are merely trying have a civilized exchange of ideas.I was merely trying to point out that 7 % unemployment rate is considered high. It was just to correct a mistake. Nothing much nothing less. So there is no need to get offended and let these comments get to you. Anyway take care will you ?:)

You wrote "50% of the population are exempt from income tax altogether, while 10% of the population pays the bulk of what is collected." Exactly right: the principle of a fair income tax system, in my opinion, is that it's "progressive", ie the more you earn, the greater fraction of your salary is taken from you as income tax.

In my opinion, most of those who have high salaries are lucky enough to have a job that they enjoy. In other words, I don't accept the "incentive" effect that you talk about.

It's true that the total tax+soc soc take (prélèvements obligatoires) is high in France, compared to many other countries. In my opinion, you generally get what you pay for: most people think that the health system in France is pretty good, that the system of child care (crèches) is pretty good, etc etc.
If you prefer a country in which the "social wage" is lower, then there are lots of places to choose from.

is the German Establishment worried by the results of our last polls? anyway, seems that it would bet on the horse that would meet their expectations on the eurozone aftermaths, a EU with more autonome states !

"Do you know that income tax in France represents only 2.6% of the GDP (the figures were produced last Friday by the Cour des Comptes, a very respectable source)? Do you know that in Germany income tax represents 9.6% of GDP"

"Muslims have a tendency to become welfare cheats, they don't seem to have a tendency to do better economically. Their overall educational levels are abysmal." (Liveinhope)

A different picture from Seekonomist, who would have us believe the immigrant population is overflowing with bright young university graduates victimised by cruel capitalist employers ...

Being educated/qualified doesn't necessarily involve a university education, you know. There is nothing wrong in starting life as a skilled worker - and more jobs available at that level too. But it is a sad statistical fact that half of young Muslims in France leave school semi-literate with no qualifications whatsoever. They reject "the system" (i.e. working for a living) and live off whatever social allocations they can get, while dealing and trafficking on the side.

Incidentally, Seekonomist, if life is so unbearable in "racist" France, why do hundreds of thousands of immigrants break their necks to get here every year ? Seems to me they know more about the benefits of living in La Douce France than you ...

To Vive_Chimie : Income tax revenue would be much higher if everyone contributed. 50% of the population are exempt from income tax altogether, while 10% of the population pays the bulk of what is collected. This is what I meant by disincentivising hard work and success. By a confiscatory tax system I was referring to the sum total of all taxes paid, including social contributions, property tax, rates, wealth tax etc. By this measure France is the second most confiscatory country in Europe after Sweden.

Polutter,
If Marine were to become president and do what she says, she'll split France in two and light the touch paper for civil war.
Torched cars will be one sign of this beginning again.
All these years of right-wing governance in France and the response is NEVER to look at the inadequacy of the political figures responsible for devising and implementing solutions, but to blame others.
Incompetent politicians with no clear vision other than self-interest are symptoms of the decline and will be the ruin of the regime, just as they were in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

So Liveinhope was right when he wrote: "Are we talking about the 'Islamic Republic of France' ?", because 2 million of Jeremys are replaced in Paris by zillions of North African.... hm... rebels.

I mean, they'll stage rebellions when in France, and use the riots in the Arab world as a pretext to get into the country. They already do, and socialists of all colours just watch and mumble politically correct nonsense...

So Marine Le Pen will continue to gain clout, and you know what? When (if?) she becomes President, she'd certainly ACT on the French people concerns. That's the difference.

If France accepts foreigners, that is because france needs them. Not only because among them are some (though few)highly qualified workers (that france lacks, I am talking about engineers, doctors, lawers..)
...
Let us forget the fact that Islam is a problem as a culture.
However Europeans often forget that some of the p;rosperity they have achieved is from immigration.
It seems to me that at times of recession these people are despised.

HAving said that, Islam does need to put it's house in order. Muslims have a tendency to become welfare cheats, they don't seem to have a tendency to do better economically.
Their overall educational levels are abysmal.
All this from revering the Imams and Mullahs. These preachers can only survive and thrive if they can keep their flock uneducated.
Uneducated people will never question the qords in the Koran, nor the interpretation from the Imams.
...
LAstly I have to say - The worst thing one can do to a community is to Marginalise them. This will make them even more insular and inward looking then ever.

Good for Marine Le Pen! The French are finally saying, like a number of other European nations, "Stop! we don't want our country to be colonized!" Better to be "far right" than "far wrong". If I want to visit a muslim country, I have a wide range to choose from; France should not be one of them.

vive_chimie, all this pressure for offspring to replace their parents in politics in France!
Sounds like there is a yearning for the country to become a monarchy once again.
Perhaps not so bad an idea if 'a l'anglaise'.
As pointed out to MC, the Queen can be criticised openly in Britain and she NEVER answers back, let alone is rude to anyone in public.
Nor are her children ever touted as brilliant intellects and political saviours, hyperactively turning the country round single-handed, though evidently they do work pretty hard.
After all, Liz still puts in a full-time job at 84, and her oafish husband similarly, if perhaps a bit less, as he starts his 90th decade.
Her son hasn't even started his main job yet, as he approaches the age that most retire!
No-one could accuse the British monarchy of the sleazy sorts of corruption that is so shamelessly protected and excused as minor foible in France! Maybe silliness in their choice of friends and interests - but then who claimed that they were the greatest of intellects that the UK had to offer? Anyone?